Charles Bott KC

Call 1979 | Silk 2008

"Charles is a hugely experienced advocate who really has seen everything. He's very tough as an advocate but it comes across in a calm way. He's rigorous yet courteous."

Chambers & Partners [2025]

"Charles Bott KC is a man of integrity who consistently gives direct and clear advice and doesn't sit on the fence."

Chambers & Partners [2025]

"Charles is superb for white-collar work. He has tremendous presence and is a clear thinker who sees the point exceptionally quickly."

Chambers & Partners [2025]

"Charles Bott KC is a great advocate and does excellent written work. He is very meticulous and capable."

Chambers & Partners [2025]

“Charles is brilliant in all aspects and a true gentleman to boot.”

Legal 500 [2025]

“Charles is fantastically quick-thinking. He is able to digest a lot of material before offering robust and well-thought-out advice. He really cares about each case at hand as well as his instructing solicitors and clients.”

Legal 500 [2025]

"Charles is outstanding in every way."

Chambers & Partners [2024]

"One of the leading KCs for highly complex money laundering and crime cases - nothing fazes him."

Chambers & Partners [2024]

"Charles is tactically astute, a very good advocate and a good leader who thinks of all angles."

Chambers & Partners [2024]

"Charles is an exceptional KC with superior expertise across the board."

Chambers & Partners [2024]

‘Charles is a magnificent barrister with the highest intellect imaginable. He is a kind and compassionate individual who is loved by his clients. His advocacy is remarkable and he is instructed nationally and internationally. There is no one better than Charles.’

Legal 500 [2024]

'A fearsome cross-examiner.'

Legal 500 [2024]

"Charles is a remarkable lawyer." Financial Crime: Band 1

Chambers & Partner 2023

"He is a superb advocate and one of the finest silks at the Criminal Bar." Financial Crime: Band 1

Chambers & Partners 2023

"A technically brilliant advocate who is very insightful and sees things that other KCs don't see."

Chambers & Partners, 2023

"Charles is brilliant at cross-examination. Magisterial with difficult clients."

Legal 500, 2023

Chambers & Partners top ranked silk (Band 1) for Financial Crime

"He is known for his superior intellect, careful attention to detail and great communication skills"

Chambers & Partners, 2021

"He has an extraordinary intellect and is a magnificent advocate. His written work is second to none... brilliant and charming in the courtroom."

Chambers & Partners, 2019

"Passionate and committed, he has natural talent of a very high order."

(AB – acquitted client in serious fraud case who received an apology in the House of Commons)

"He is a devastating talent in and out of court"

Chambers & Partners, 2017

"His closing speeches leave you in awe."

Legal 500, 2015

"A robust and exceptionally experienced barrister."

Chambers & Partners 2022

"Immensely talented as an advocate, on paper and with clients."

Chambers & Partners 2021

"Really client-friendly and someone who finds new angles to cases by thinking outside the box."

Chambers & Partners 2021

"A man with a burning intellect"

Chambers & Partners 2021

"He has incredible experience of dealing with some of the most serious and infamous cases."

Chambers & Partners 2021

"A top draw silk, who is sharp witted and personable in equal measure. He has the nicest manner with clients …works tirelessly."

Chambers & Partners 2021

"Still rightly viewed as one of the top Silks to defend in complex fraud. Clever but with a really lovely touch in front of a jury. Just effortless in being able to distil down complex factual and legal issues in a way that appeals to juries."

Legal 500 2021

"..he has a very attractive and understated way with the jury"

Legal 500 2017

"He fights like hell for his clients because he really cares about them."

Legal 500 2015

"Immensely impressive ...and tremendously hard-working"

Chambers & Partners 2018

"A lawyer with a brilliant mind and understated advocacy approach"

Chambers & Partners 2017

"A popular choice of silk for the defence of a variety of financial criminal charges, including those relating to rate manipulation, tax fraud and corruption"

Chambers & Partners 2016

"His attention to details marks him out, as does his measured style in court."

Chambers & Partners 2015

"A highly regarded criminal silk who focuses his practice on serious fraud defence. Instructing solicitors value his adept handling of complex cases."

Chambers & Partners 2015

"A great strategist, with an exceptionally bright mind and great attention to detail."

Chambers & Partners 2014

"He's incredibly clever and hard-working."

Chambers & Partners 2014

He "has a truly original mind and is destined to leave his mark at the Criminal Bar"

Chambers & Partners 2013

Expertise

Charles has substantial experience of defending in all forms of serious crime. He has appeared in many homicide trials and in a number of prominent cases of terrorism.

Notable Crime cases


Homicide cases include:

R v S (2021)

Another highly publicised case. Murder of Marks & Spencer employee

R v O (2021)

Highly publicised murder of railway worker

R v H (2019/20)

Complex murder trial

R v ER (2019)

Prominent allegation of murder by fire attack

R v AV (2015)

Foreman roofer accused of manslaughter by gross negligence

R v SP (2014)

Alleged murder of antiques dealer

R v KD (2013)

Polish revenge murder trial

R v Zolotovsky (2012)

Russian double murder

R v HEB (2011)

Forensic Medical Examiner charged with manslaughter by gross negligence following the death of a prisoner at Chelsea Police Station.
The Guardian.

R v C (2010)

Dagenham sports club killing

R v N (2010)

Low intelligence as diminished responsibility

R v C (2009)

‘Best friend’ murder case

R v Palmer (2009)

Colchester train manslaughter case

R v T (2007)

The Woodhams murder

R v P (2006)

Teenage gang murder trial

R v. Crawley (2004)

The ‘honeytrap’ murder trial

R v. Osborne (2004)

Well publicised intruder murder case

R v. P (2003)

Conspiracy to murder

R v RM (2017/8)

Supplying electronic support for acts of terrorism

Terrorism cases include:

R v MHM (2017)

Allegations of preparing serious acts of terrorism in the UK R v MD (1996) – Palestinian journalist accused of plot to bomb the Israeli embassy

R v JJ (2014)

Allegations of terrorism arising out of the conflict in Syria. Secondary School teacher accused of two section 5 Terrorism Act 2006 offences.

R v HF (2011)

Allegations of recruiting terrorists for Afghanistan

R v MA (2007)

21/7 terrorist case

Charles’ experience in this field is very extensive.  It includes serious fraud and money laundering cases of all types, including many of the leading fraud trials of modern times.

Notable Business Crime & Fraud cases


Fraud clients include:

  • (R v. Borkum 1990)
    a portfolio manager at BZW
  • (R v. Crowther 1991)
    a senior bank manager at Nat West
  • (R v. Jumani 1990)
    a leading importer of Indian films
  • (R v. Shand 2002)
    the Chairman of Boodles
  • (R v. Felstead 1997)
    the director of a re-insurance brokerage at Lloyd’s
  • (R v. Hammond 1996)
    the largest UK importer of tropical birds and parrots
  • (R v. Devlin 1997)
    the director of a UK travel agency charged with defrauding German parent company
  • (R v. McHale 1999)
    the principal sub-contractor on the Millennium Dome site
  • (R v. McMaster 1998)
    a solicitor accused of laundering money for a major drugs syndicate
  • (R v. Lyons 2001)
    an accountant accused of laundering money for a Colombian cartel
  • (R v. McKelvie 1997/8)
    a retired police officer accused of substantial revenue fraud
  • (R v. Strachan 1997)
    the managing director of a chain of employment agencies charged with fraudulent trading
  • (R v. Harrison 2003)
    a solicitor accused of embezzling client funds on a substantial scale
  • (R v. Owide 2004)
    the owner of the Windmill Club
  • (R v. Mills 2004/5)
    the auditor of the Jubilee Line Extension fraud
  • (R v. Uddin 2006)
    a Tower Hamlets councillor accused of financial corruption
  • (R v. F 2006-2008)
    the director of a leading pharmaceuticals company
  • (R v. AB 2009)
    the Chief Executive of a major psychiatric hospital
  • (R v A 2014)
    an accountant accused of multi-jurisdictional fraud
  • (R v TK 2014)
    a Customs officer accused of corruption and revenue fraud
  • (R v NWD 2015)
    a prominent IFA who prompted film investment schemes
  • (R v Gilmour 2015-16)
    an inter-dealer broker charged in the LIBOR rate manipulation case
  • (R v JB 2016-17)
    an accountant employed in an ethical investment company
  • (R v JC 2017)
    the director and founder of the UK’s largest ‘umbrella’ employment agency
  • (R v JV 2018-19)
    ‘Mr Lithuania’ – a leading figure in a trail relating to bribery of Lithuanian government ministers and officials

 

Large Revenue Fraud Cases include:

  • R v. Green (1991)
  • R v. Boxall (1992)
  • R v. Andrews (1995)
  • R v. Lowen (1998)
  • R v. Rose (2001)
  • R v. Smith (2001)
  • R v. Clodd-Broom (2003)
  • R v. G Smith (2005)
  • R v. Fisher (2004/5)
  • R v. Jones (2006/7)
  • R v Koser (2008)
  • R v Mallourides (2010/11)
  • R v Mohammed (2011)
  • R v Turner (2011)
  • R v PS (2012)
  • R v H (2013/4)
  • R v M (2013)
  • R v NWD (2015)
  • R v AA (2015/16)
  • R v JB (2016/7)
  • R v GC (2017)
  • R v RC (2017)

Other Fraud Work includes:

  • R v. Miller (1998) Prominent case about corruption in influential circles in the City.
  • R v. Stepnika and others (2000): Substantial money laundering by former Czech police officers.
  • R v. Colorado (2001) Vast Colombian money laundering case.
  • R v. Headley (2002) Laundering the proceeds of Europe’s largest armed robbery.
  • R v. Zone (2003) Recent test case on abuse of Local Authority Right to Buy scheme.
  • R v. Baldar (2005) Surgeon accused of obtaining 9 NHS posts by deception.
  • R v. M (2007) FSA/French Stock Exchange insider dealing inquiry.
  • R v. Thorne (2009) SFO Prosecution of leading UK car retailer.
  • R v. R (2009) SFO Prosecution of investment fraud.
  • R v H (2011/2012) SFO prosecution of Ponzi fraud.
  • R v U (2012) Businessman acquitted in Ukrainian money laundering case.
  • R v S (2012) The first UK prosecution alleging artificial trade in carbon credit permits.
  • R v PM (2013) SFO prosecution of major investment fraud.
  • R v AH (2015) Substantial mortgage fraud prosecution.

Charles is currently advising a range of clients who are the subject of major fraud investigations.

Charles has represented large UK companies in regulatory prosecutions relating to Health and Safety and Environmental issues

Notable Criminal Regulatory cases


HSE v AWM Ltd (ongoing)

Prosecution arising from industrial accidents

EA v AWM Ltd

Environmental prosecution

Charles has conducted and advised in a wide range of civil cases relating to fraud and asset recovery. He is currently instructed in two of the leading account forfeiture cases.

He speaks regularly on these subjects to audiences from both the professional and financial world. He recently advised on the introduction of civil recovery regime in dependent territories and drafted legislation.

Since 2016, he has represented a US pension fund in relation to a substantial international fraud enquiry .

He is currently representing account holders in relation to a major NCA civil forfeiture case based upon allegations of political corruption in former Soviet states.

Notable Asset Forfeiture & Civil Recovery cases


NCA v O,P and E (ongoing)

Very substantial account forfeiture case

HMRC v H (ongoing)

Account forfeiture case arising from substantial tax fraud investigation

HMRC v City Plant Ltd (2020- 21)

PDL v Alexander Gutin and Crosspoint Ltd (2019)

Sullivan and others v Briggs (2019- 21)

Burnley FC v Lloyds Bank (2017)

Trifanova v Kuznetsov (2015/16)

Charles has appeared in two public inquiries.

Charles has significant experience in international law, particularly in International Criminal Tribunals including appeals and in relation to extradition.

Charles has led teams conducting some of the largest modern private prosecutions in the area of serious fraud.

Notable Private Prosecution cases


ASM Ltd v Cable and Whaley (2016 - 19)

Geraud UK Ltd v Bonnet, Burnett and another (2016-18)

  • Senior Governors Scholar, Hymers College, Hull
  • Bryant Exhibitioner, Emmanuel College, Cambridge

  • Bencher of Grays Inn
  • Member of FA Rule K panel 2016
  • Chaired Bar Council Investigation Committee 2011/12

Articles for Lexis

Conferences/Lectures

Charles is a regular speaker at both national and international conferences. They include:

  • Chair of international Fraud and Asset Recovery Conference London 2014
  • New York County LA: (i)Whistleblowers , Secret Swiss bank Accounts and Recovering Hidden Assets 2017 and (iI) The Libor Case 2015
    ‘”CHARLES BOTT QC, Head of Carmelite Chambers, is one of the UK’s leading practitioners in all subjects relating to criminal and civil fraud.”
  • Fraud Masterclass Miami C5, 2012
  • Bermuda 2012 – Civil Recovery
  • Cayman Islands 2010 – Proceeds of Crime law

Numerous lectures in chambers and other venues , mostly on topics related to fraud

2025

Chambers & Partners
“Charles is a hugely experienced advocate who really has seen everything. He’s very tough as an advocate but it comes across in a calm way. He’s rigorous yet courteous.”
Crime: Band 2

“Charles Bott KC is a great advocate and does excellent written work. He is very meticulous and capable.”
“Charles is superb for white-collar work. He has tremendous presence and is a clear thinker who sees the point exceptionally quickly.”
“Charles Bott KC is a man of integrity who consistently gives direct and clear advice and doesn’t sit on the fence.
Financial Crime: Band 1

Legal 500
Crime: Charles is fantastically quick thinking. He is able to digest a lot of material before offering robust and well-thought-out advice. He really cares about each case at hand as well as his instructing solicitors and clients.”
Ranked: Tier 4

Fraud: Crime: “Charles is brilliant in all aspects and a true gentleman to boot.”
Ranked: Tier 3

Proceeds of Crime (POCA) and Asset Forfeiture
Ranked: Tier 3

2024

Chambers & Partners
“Charles is an exceptional KC with superior expertise across the board.”
Crime: Band 2

“Charles is tactically astute, a very good advocate and a good leader who thinks of all angles.”
“One of the leading KCs for highly complex money laundering and crime cases – nothing fazes him.”
“Charles is outstanding in every way.”
Financial Crime: Band 1

Legal 500
Crime: Tier 3

Fraud:Crime: ‘Charles is a magnificent barrister with the highest intellect imaginable. He is a kind and compassionate individual who is loved by his clients. His advocacy is remarkable and he is instructed nationally and internationally. There is no one better than Charles.’
Ranked: Tier 3

Proceeds of Crime (POCA) and Asset Forfeiture
Ranked: Tier 3

2023

Chambers & Partners

Financial Crime: “Charles is a remarkable lawyer.” 
“He is a superb advocate and one of the finest silks at the Criminal Bar.”
Ranked: Band 1

Crime: “A technically brilliant advocate who is very insightful and sees things that other KCs don’t see.”
Ranked: Band 2

Legal 500
Crime: Tier 3

Fraud:Crime: Charles is brilliant at cross-examination. Magisterial with difficult clients’
Ranked: Tier 3

Proceeds of Crime (POCA) and Asset Forfeiture
Ranked: Tier 3

2022

Chambers & Partners
Financial Crime: “He is a Rolls-Royce silk; one of the most experienced financial crime silks. His knowledge and immediate understanding of a fraud case is incredible.” “He has excellent communication skills and is very clever.”
Ranked: Band 1

Crime: “A robust and exceptionally experienced barrister.”
Ranked: Band 2

Legal 500
Crime: “An excellent silk.”
Ranked: Tier 3

Fraud:Crime: “Charles is extremely bright, very thoughtful and combines academic excellence with incisive and persuasive advocacy. He is undoubtedly in the top echelon of silks.”
Ranked: Tier 3

Proceeds of Crime (POCA) and Asset Forfeiture:He is extremely bright, very thoughtful and combines academic excellence with incisive and persuasive advocacy. He is very patient and caring towards all his lay clients. He is undoubtedly in the top echelon of silks. Anyone who instructs him would agree he is a truly outstanding barrister.”
Ranked: Tier 3

2021

Chambers & Partners
Financial Crime: “A very careful and considered advocate. He works very hard and knows his case very well.” “Immensely talented as an advocate, on paper and with clients.” “Sharp and personable in equally high measures.”
Ranked: Band 1

Crime: “Really client-friendly and someone who finds new angles to cases by thinking outside the box.” “A man with a burning intellect, he is a good jury advocate.” “Charles is a good tactician whose advocacy is considered and precise. He has incredible experience of dealing with some of the most serious and infamous cases.”
Ranked: Band 2

Legal 500
Crime: “Clever but with a really lovely touch in front of a jury. Just effortless in being able to distil down complex factual and legal issues in a way that appeals to juries.”
Ranked: Tier 3

Fraud:Crime: “Still rightly viewed as one of the top Silks to defend in complex fraud. Clever but with a really lovely touch in front of a jury. Just effortless in being able to distil down complex factual and legal issues in a way that appeals to juries.”
Ranked: Tier 3

Proceeds of Crime (POCA) and Asset Forfeiture: “Very experienced in civil recovery and confiscation cases.”
Ranked: Tier 3

2020

Chambers & Partners: “A top draw silk, who is sharp witted and personable in equal measure. He has the nicest manner with clients …works tirelessly.”

2019

Chambers & Partners: “He has an extraordinary intellect and is a magnificent advocate. His written work is second to none…He is extremely bright and a good tactician… A very effective performer… brilliant and charming in the courtroom.”

2018

Chambers & Partners: “Immensely impressive …and tremendously hard-working.”

2017

Chambers & Partners: “A lawyer with a brilliant mind and understated advocacy approach.” “He’s a devastating talent in and out of court.’”

Legal 500: “..he has a very attractive and understated way with the jury.”

2016

Chambers & Partners: “A popular choice of silk for the defence of a variety of financial criminal charges, including those relating to rate manipulation, tax fraud and corruption.”

2015

Chambers & Partners: “His attention to details marks him out, as does his measured style in court.’” “A highly regarded criminal silk who focuses his practice on serious fraud defence. Instructing solicitors value his adept handling of complex cases.”

Legal 500: “His closing speeches leave you in awe.” “He fights like hell for his clients because he really cares about them.”

2014

Chambers & Partners: “A great strategist, with an exceptionally bright mind and great attention to detail.” “He’s incredibly clever and hard-working.”

2013

Chambers & Partners: “He ‘has a truly original mind and is destined to leave his mark at the Criminal Bar.”

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